Program Overview

The UCLA Postdoctoral Program in Endodontics provides advanced education in endodontics through didactic, clinical, research and teaching education and training to highly qualified and motivated candidates. The UCLA Program integrates the scientific basis for endodontics with current standards of specialty patient care.

The program offers strong clinical training that covers the full scope of Endodontics, and emphasizes the development of proficiency in the following areas:   (1) to perform endodontic treatment, both conventional and surgical, and adjunctive procedures at a specialty level of expertise, (2) to synthesize a rationale for treatment based on scientific knowledge and practice evidence-based endodontics, (3) to evaluate and assess endodontic therapy and outcome of treatment, (4) to exercise complex problem solving and independent thinking, (5) to analyze evidence and new information as well as technology for clinical practice through current literature, (6) to function as a member of a dental and medical interdisciplinary treatment team provided by the UCLA School of Dentistry and the UCLA Medical Center.  Lecture courses are offered in the areas of internal medicine, physical diagnosis, oral pathology, head and neck radiation therapy, dental implantology and head and neck anatomy (including clinically relevant cadaveric dissection). The Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency Training Program at UCLA integrates strong didactic teaching with superb clinical training.

Length of program - 24 months

Number of Residents Accepted Each Year -3

Accredited by Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.

Curriculum

A core curriculum of basic science courses is given, primarily in the first year of the program. The core didactic courses include Hospital Dentistry, Basic Life Support, Medical Emergencies, Elements of Sedation, Dental Therapeutics, Advanced Oral Radiology, Orofacial Pain, Implantology, Embryology, Oral Pathology/Medicine, Head & Neck Anatomy and Research Methodology.

Endodontitc core courses include Preclinical Lab Course, Basic and Current Literature Review, Endodonitc Diagnosis and Treatment Planning, Special Seminars, Interdisciplinary Conferences, Endodontic Research, Endodontic Teaching, and Clinical Case Review. Each resident is required to conduct and complete a research project with a chosen research mentor.

What to Expect

This is a 24-month program, and three residents are selected per year.  High standards of quality and quantity of clinical experiences are emphasized. Required nonsurgical procedures include, but are not limited to, primary endodontic treatment, retreatment, and endodontic surgery. The procedures performed include full scope of Endodontics, including but not limited to, post retrieval, management of traumatic injuries, vital pulp therapy, root end closure, bleaching, perforation repair, and management of medically compromised patients. 

Residency Training Program in Endodontics at UCLA integrates strong didactic teaching with superb clinical training. A considerable component of training is devoted to the presentation of clinically-oriented basic scientific material. The scientific background of Endodontics is emphasized in seminars, lectures, and treatment planning conferences throughout the training program. Clinical education is achieved thru lectures, seminars, workshops, clinical instruction and case and record review.

Ongoing throughout the two years are literature review seminars (classic and current), diagnosis and treatment planning seminars, and case and record reviews that provide continuous review and instruction.  A research project related to Endodontics is required, as well as teaching experiences in didactic and clinical situations.

Every resident will rotate to be on call to cover emergency cases for the School.

Requirements/Pre-requisites

• DDS or DMD from an ADA-accredited dental school.
• Successful completion of National Dental Board Examination Part I

Application Process

•  Participation in the Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS)
• General Application Form
• Three to five letters of recommendation
• Official National Dental Board Examination scores
• Official undergraduate and dental school transcripts
• Curriculum vitae
• Personal statement
• Selected candidates will be invited for an interview.

Timeline

The application and supporting materials must be submitted by August 15th. Selected candidate will be notified that they are invited for an interview in late September or early October.